'Striking' design of apartment building would differentiate space in Friendship

A proposed seven-story apartment building in Friendship would feature a distinctive cutout that allows passers-by to look into an interior courtyard with work by local artists, development plans show.

“The opening within the Baum Boulevard and Dapper Way facades presents a striking visual feature for onlookers,” according to a filing with the Pittsburgh Planning Commission, which is scheduled to be briefed on the plans Tuesday.

The $14 million project includes 100 market-rate apartments and street-level retail space at Baum and South Graham Street. The former Rudy Molnar car repair shop, a vacant lot and a house sit there. Nearby amenities include a Giant Eagle Market District store on Centre Avenue and an Aldi grocery store on Baum.

Gary Moshier of Moshier Studio said the apartments would be geared toward young professionals and entrepreneurs. The building will feature conference and office-type space, he said.

“The amenities would be geared toward shared work space rather than a swimming pool and party space,” Moshier said, adding that the rooftop and interior courtyard would offer areas to gather and relax.

Moshier said the building will feature one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. He said rents are expected to average between $1,200 and $2,000 a month.

The developers hope to begin demolition in April, construction in June and open the apartments by summer 2016, Moshier said.

Tom Fontaine is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-320-7847 or tfontaine@tribweb.com.